The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-28
MR.. POWDERLY'S ADMIRERS
An Endorsement of His Course by the
Indianapolis Knights Of Labor.
Oppose the Use of Forcible Measures in Ad-
vancing the Cause Of Workingmen.

ABOUT SUI persons attended the N ass- N eetinS
of the Knights of Labor at Union Hail. on East
Washington street, yesterday afternoon. The
object of the gathering to discuss the nu-
merous questions pertaining to the welfare OF
the order which are pressing themselves forward
for solution. A series of resolutions was at
once presented when the meeting called to
order, the first one having reference to the pub
lie declaration of General Master Workman Pow
derby that he would decline reelection
at the next meeting of the national as
sembly. In long preamble the ad-
mlrable qualities for leadership possessed
by Powderly were set forth. The perpetuation
of the principles of the Knights of Lab or il was
declared. cannot be advantageously accom-
pished by change of leadership at time
when confusion, dssension discord. and anar-
chs approaching crisis; when the most
vital issues the cause of labor has ever wit
messed. are to be presented for consideration by
a wise and lud1cious council The administra-
tor selected to carry out Its instructions should
of necessity be a man whose policy Is well un-
derstood, whose conservative aud clearly defined
position upon all questions affecting the Inter-
es,s of employee and employer, known alike
to both, whose public acts have been such as to
inspire tie confidence of all who trust in di-
vine, moral, conservative, and impartial admin
stration of public affairs. such the knights OF
Labor are seeking to accomplish"
1t was therefore resolved to urgently request
Mr.. Powderly to reconsider his intended action,
and again allow the General Assembly
his name as a candidate for q position he had so
long and faithfully filled.
A resolution was introduced indorsnc Pow
derys position with reference to anarchy. and
declaring that mo good purpose can be ac-
complished by affiliating with any organization
who advocate the adoption of forcible measures
in order to accomplish a lawful purpose" With
reference to the factonal combination known as
the provisional committee" a resolution ex-
can, by proper efforts. accomplish the
passage of every honorable measure
in the General Assembly, by securing
a constitutional provision that the General AS
sembly shall not adjourn until ali necessary
legislation has been deliberately acted upon, a
measure in which 1t is known the general mas
ter workman would cheerfuilv acquiesce This
would accomplish. the resolution expressed
it. "a complete adjustment in regular sessions
OF all pending controversies, instead of leaving
them with fresh paint and patching bv hasty adj
journments." Discussions of the character en-
couraeed and undertaken by the provisional
committee were denounced, as it was believed
retarded and hanpered rather than benefited.
"Such an unnecessary course, the resolution
further stated, ''is largely due a misunder-
standing the part of said committee as to the
true causes leading TO difference between its
members and the general master workman,
whom it has unwarrantaby censured." The
provisional committee was also bitterly de-
noEnced and charged with being the victim of
.'foui and cowardly plot the part of those
who. failing to accomplish the adoption of bad
measure in the General Assembly. have resort
ed to reyenseful methods unworthy the support
of true Knights of Labor"
All the resolutions after being discussed at
length. we're adopted with but little opposition.
E F. Gould. sho represented District Assem-
bly, LOG at the Minneapolis assembly. spoke at
length on the split that occurred at the adjourn
menf OF the assembly
He alluded to the Chicago faction with much
concern for the orders welfare. He believed it
a misunderstanding more than willful opposi-
ton. He claimed to have supported them in
the General Assembly on all questions except
the resolution asking for q trial for the Hay
market victims. In this case, said Mr.. Gou Id,
the general master workman declared the reso~
luton out of order. An appeal from his decision
being taken, the vote resulted in sustaining
the chair by at least three-fourths
vote. He voted in the affirnnatiser-
The order had been placed in false position
before the pnblic, he said. since it is generally
understood that one-thrd of the delegates voted
to grant the Anarchists a new trial. No such
proposition was voted upon at all. Many dele
gates voted against sustaining the Chair, because
they wanted to give the author an opportunity
to be heard. Could a vote have been taken upon
the direct question it would not have received
the support of q dozen delegates. Mr.. Gould re-
GREETED very much the crisis that would be
reached at Indianapolis one year hence. Re be-
lieved that reasonable efforts should be made TO
prevent such disaster. While Mr.. Powderly
at times in error he was at all times safe.
He believed Powderly made mistake in declar-
ing off the Chicago packing house strike-but
Barry in not informing. him of a pre-ar-
ranged strike which he Barry alone
knew of. The Chicago facrionists were
dissatisfied purely on this account.
Another cause of dissatisfaction was due TO tho
trouble of District 1876 Its grievance pre-
sented to the General Assembly two DAYS be-
fore adjournment. with 1.500 pages of foolscap
of evidence. Consequently only fifteen minutes
was devoted to the matter, which was disposed
of without giving satisfaction to the aggreved
The assembly at Indianapolis, next year. will
be kept in session a month, if necessary, to pre-
vent rump conventions, if that can be done by
transactiue all of the business